Chapter 202 Elara's POV

Chapter 202 Elara's POV

The pack patrols arrived within minutes of our call.

They took one look at Fred's unconscious, beaten body and Dr. Chen's injuries and immediately called for backup and ambulances.

Within an hour, Dr. Chen's house was filled with the men, taking statements. Paramedics treating injuries. And family members who had been called by Dr. Chen's sister.

Sarah's parents arrived first, her mother took one look at her daughter's battered face and broke down crying. Her father's expression turned murderous when he saw Fred being loaded into an ambulance in handcuffs.

"I knew," her mother sobbed, holding Sarah carefully. 

"I knew something was wrong but you always said you were fine. Always smiled and said everything was perfect."

"I was ashamed, Mom didn't want anyone to know I had failed. That I couldn't even protect myself in my own home."

"This isn't your failure, this is all his."

The children clung to their grandmother, finally safe to cry. To let out years of suppressed fear.

Gifts started arriving, flowers, food, toys for the children. The community rallying around a family they'd failed to protect.

The Alpha of Mountain Ridge Pack came personally. A tall, stern woman named Alpha Victoria.

"Dr. Chen, I owe you an apology for what happened in my territory. Under my protection I failed you."

"You didn't know-"

"I should have known I should have looked harder and asked more questions." 

She turned to Kaden and me. "Thank you for doing what I should have done. For protecting one of my pack members when I couldn't."

"Anyone would have done the same," Kaden said.

"They wouldn't have most people look away from domestic violence. Pretend it is not happening, you didn't that takes courage."

Alpha Victoria promised that Fred would face the harshest punishment available. Not just criminal charges, but pack justice as well.

Dr. Chen thanked us repeatedly, tears streaming down her face. "You saved my life. Literally. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"You don't need to repay us. Just heal. Build a new life. Be happy."

We left as the sun was setting, driving back to Blue Moon Pack in exhausted silence.

The pack house came into view, partially rebuilt but still scarred from the attack home such as it was.

Marcus met us at the entrance, looking grim. "Alpha Luna, we need to talk."

"What happened?" Kaden asked immediately.

"The children's bodies. Damian completed the examination cause of death was-" 

He paused, looking sick. "They were drained of blood completely."

I felt a cold spread through me. "Drained? Like a vampire?"

"We don't have vampires in this territory. But something drained them and left them completely empty."

"Where's Damian now?"

"In his office but Kira's been out for hours. Tracking searching for whoever did this. She is obsessed with resting, not eating, and just keeps hunting."

We found Damian in his office, looking exhausted and disturbed.

"Tell me everything," Kaden said.

Damian explained the findings, the precise puncture marks, the complete blood drainage. The lack of any other injuries.

"This was methodical. Ritualistic, even. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing."

"And Kira?"

"She has been tracking since we found the bodies. Following scent trails looking for any clue. I tried to stop her, but she's determined. Says she won't rest until she finds the killer."

Kaden immediately called an emergency meeting. New security protocols were implemented.

"No staff members are allowed near children's rooms without parental supervision. Guards posted on every floor with children. No one enters or leaves the pack house without being logged and verified."

The rules were strict, almost paranoid but necessary.

I went to check on Adrian. Found him in the nursery with Kara, who looked much better after Damian's treatment.

"Mama!" Adrian crawled toward me at surprising speed.

I picked him up, holding him close. "Hi, baby. Were you good for Aunt Kara?"

"Dada!" He pointed at the door.

Kaden entered right on cue. Adrian squealed with delight.

We spent time playing with him. Watching him crawl around. He was talking more now mama, dada, and a few other simple words.

Normal this was normal. This was what we had fought for. Moments like this but I felt... strange disconnected like I was watching the scene from outside my own body.

"Elara?" Kaden's voice. "Elara, are you listening?"

I blinked. "What?"

"I asked if you wanted to feed Adrian dinner. You've been staring at the wall for five minutes."

"I have? I didn't realize."

He looked concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just tired."

We had dinner as a family. Kaden, me, Adrian, Damian, and Kara. Kira was still out hunting.

They talked about the security measures. About the missing children's funeral arrangements about rebuilding efforts.

I heard the words but couldn't focus on them. My mind kept drifting. To Dr. Chen's battered face to the dead children to everything that had happened.

"Elara." Kaden's hand on my shoulder. 

"You are doing it again. We've been trying to talk to you for ten minutes. You haven't responded to anything."

"Yes, I did. I said we should reinforce the western perimeter-"

"No, you didn't, you haven't said a word. You've just been sitting there staring at your plate."

I looked around the table. Everyone was watching me with concern.

"That's not true. I've been participating in the conversation-"

"Elara, you haven't," Damian said gently. 

"You've been completely silent and unresponsive. For almost fifteen minutes now."

"But I heard you talking. I heard everything you said-"

"Hearing isn't the same as participating. We've been asking you questions. You haven't answered any of them."

Fear spiked through me. Was I losing time again? Like before? Was this another effect of the lunar pulse?

"I need air." I stood abruptly. "I need to clear my head."

"Elara, wait-"

But I was already walking away. Out of the dining room down the hallway.

I went to the bathroom. Splashed cold water on my face. I looked at myself in the mirror.

I looked normal but I felt disconnected. Like parts of me were missing, the lunar pulse. It had to be the lunar pulse doing this.

I left the bathroom and headed outside. I needed fresh air and needed space to think.

The pack house felt suffocating all those people, all that concern, all those eyes watching me.

I walked past the guards, past the sentries. Into the forest. Just for a few minutes. Just to breathe without everyone watching.

The trees closed around me. Dark. Quiet. Peaceful. I walked deeper. Following no particular path. Just moving. Trying to clear the fog in my head.

Then I felt it.

Someone was following me.

I stopped listening, and heard footsteps carefully and deliberately. Staying back but definitely tracking me.

"Who's there?" I called out.

No answer. I turned around and saw nothing but trees and shadows.

"I know you are there to show yourself."

The footsteps continued getting closer.